The Republican file photoThe publicly funded Caring Health Center clinic, which treats 40,000 patients a year, is the largest immigrant health provider in the state outside of Boston, according to director Anne S. Awad.SPRINGFIELD - Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray toured the future site of a $15 million redevelopment project being launched by the Caring Health Center in the South End.
The project involves renovating the former Hampden Furniture Building across from the center’s main clinic at 1145 Main St. to provide 30 medical exam rooms, 12 dental offices, and five counseling rooms, along with a medical laboratory and expanded wellness center.
Anne S. Awad, the center’s director, told Murray and Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno the clinic has outgrown its building, and needs new space.
“If we hired a new provider now, he or she would have to treat patients in the hallway,” Awad said.
When renovations are complete, the old furniture building will also include a commercial pharmacy and house the center’s administrative offices, Awad said.
The publicly funded clinic, which treats 40,000 patients a year, is the largest immigrant health provider in the state outside of Boston, Awad said.
The Hampden Furniture building was purchased for $525,000 by the center in 2008. When the new site opens, the center will continue to operate the clinic across the street, Awad said.
Awad, Murray, the mayor and staff took a 10-minute tour of the Hampden Furniture building, which consists of three interconnected historic buildings occupying part of a block on Main Street.
The cavernous building offered hints of its retail past, with wine glasses and coffee cups stacked in one corner, and signs reading “ask your sales person for additional discounts” still hanging on walls. Elsewhere, stacks of old books were heaped on the floor, and a two abandoned bicycles leaned against a wall.
Sarno said he was pleased that the current clinic will remain open once work on the new site is complete. The new clinic will add to the $6.5 million in improvements being made by the city in the South End, Sarno said. Awad also told Murray that an additional $3 million in financing will be needed to complete the $15 million project.
Murray said the state could work with the clinic to help find that last $3 million.